More news on the 2013 Honda CBR500R, as details about Honda’s 498cc paralle-twin budget sport bike continue to unfold. A part of a larger effort to saturate the markets with 500cc-class motorcycles for the price sensitive, we can now confirm that the Honda CBR500R is one of three bikes (checkout the Honda CB500F & Honda CB500X) in the genre that will be coming to the USA next year.

Based around a modest liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, DOHC, 180° crank, 54 rwhp, parallel-twin motor for the US market (tiered-license countries will see a 47hp machine), the Honda CBR500R is a sporty-styled no thrills sort of motorcycle. A graduation step from the Honda CBR250R, it makes sense then that the CBR500R has twice the cylinders, and thus twice the displacement — but it doesn’t come with twice the price tag.

At $5,999 for the American market, the 2013 Honda CBR500R commands less than a $2,000 premium over the $4,199 CBR250R. That price will go up to $6,499 though if you want the optional ABS package (and we know you do). Click after the jump for full tech specs.

Of note is the fact the the Honda CBR500R has the same cylinder bore size as the Honda CBR600RR (67mm), though features a much longer stroke (66.8mm), making for a very square cylinder architecture. This should mean that while the CBR500R won’t be blowing doors off with its peak power figures, the 428 lbs (curb with a full tank of fuel) bike should have some good drive out of the corners.

With Pro-Link rear suspension in the rear, hardcore riders will be disappointed with the 2013 Honda CBR500R’s preload-only rear shock, and sealed 41mm forks, but then again…this isn’t a motorcycle for the hardcore. A sole 320mm wave-style brake disc is up front, and is mated to a twin-piston Nissin caliper.

With a seat height of 30.9 inches, the Honda CBR500R should fit most sizes, and you can get it in Red, Black, or the HRC White/Blue/Red scheme — the ABS model is Honda Red only. Expect it at your Honda dealership in April of 2013.

Nothing gets unveiled on Thursdays…it’s like a zoo on the public days.

Luke

Anyone know the torque rating on this machine?

Truehondafans

Hi all you will be very disappointed with CBR500R as a sports bike. It have lousy front suspension (not inverted type) and useless digital display. The sub-frames looks very cheap. The CBR500R comes with a low compression cylinder and it comes with low horse power( I expect 60HP with a 500cc). After I seen the real CBR500R at the Thai expo I really feel very down because I am expecting more from Honda even it was manufacture in Thailand plant like the NSR150RR( nice 2-stroke small Cc). I myself have ridden NSR150RR, CBR400RR, NSR250 MC28 and RVF400 NC35. It was a true disappointment from Honda comparing the Bikes that I have ridden and it’s weight to power ratio! Get CBR600RR instead don’t waste time because when you ride a sports bike you will eventually go down to track CBR500R needs heavy modifications just to have some fun!

Bernz

Truehondafans

Your missing the point with the CBR500R, it’s not designed as a sports bike or aimed at the sports bike market, thats why Honda have the CBR600RR and 1000RR Fireblade. This bikes aimed at people coming off of 250cc’s and stepping into the bigger bore for the first time. As a starter bike its a very nice machine and does what Honda intended it to do and NO no ones going to buy this bike for track day’s. Look at the handle bar’s to start with and you’ll also notice the lack of rebound and compression damping suspensions all that would be expected on a sports bike which this is not. I’ve owned both the 600RR and 1000RR and this bike is another very nice addition from Honda and aimed at a different market not the sports market.

Bernz

Truehondafans

Your missing the point with the CBR500R, it’s not designed as a sports bike or aimed at the sports bike market, thats why Honda have the CBR600RR and 1000RR Fireblade. This bikes aimed at people coming off of 250cc’s and stepping into the bigger bore for the first time. As a starter bike its a very nice machine and does what Honda intended it to do and NO no ones going to buy this bike for track day’s. Look at the handle bar’s to start with and you’ll also notice the lack of rebound and compression damping suspensions all that would be expected on a sports bike which this is not. I’ve owned both the 600RR and 1000RR and this bike is another very nice addition from Honda.